Larry Abed

In this episode, Larry Abed—mentor, teacher, and the heartbeat behind DePauw’s TV operations—shares his journey from growing up in Detroit to becoming a beloved professor and mentor to countless students.

Larry’s story is full of lessons about resilience, self-belief, and carving your own path. From standing up to a childhood bully to discovering his passion for television later in life, Larry’s experiences remind us that it’s never too late to find your purpose. He talks about his time in news and advertising, the magic of mentorship, and how he ended up calling DePauw home for over 20 years.

Favorite Quotes from Larry:
“Find good mentors. They see it in you when you don’t yet see it in yourself.”

“Believe in yourself. That voice within? It’s rarely wrong.”

“What I hope to be remembered for is being relatable, encouraging, and someone who believed in his students.”

• Larry’s childhood growing up in Detroit and the lessons it taught him.
  
  
• How sports and a strong work ethic helped him find his place in the world.
  
  
• His unexpected career path, from newsrooms and ad agencies to a thriving role in academia.
  
  
• The importance of listening to your inner voice and surrounding yourself with mentors who believe in you.
  
  
• What it means to love your work and find purpose in guiding the next generation.